The Chico High senior outside hitter ranks second on the Panthers in kills behind Stephanie Ovitz, and is also second in digs and serve-receives behind Nina Holmes.

"She's a primary passer. She digs down. She serves really well," Chico coach Chuck Johnson said of Thomas. "She's the total package as they say."

Thomas relishes the opportunity to perform in multiple roles.

"I do play all over. Everyone enjoys offense, but when you go down on defense, you get to be really scrappy," she said.

Her attitude is part of the reason why she's a co-captain for Chico.

"She and Nina Holmes have been playing great," Johnson said. "They have really led us."

Thomas' improvement in hitting as the season has progressed has impressed Johnson, who is in his first year in charge of the Panthers.

"Her consistency with her hitting has taken off. At one of the tournaments down south, she took to some coaching. She made some minor changes in the way she hits the ball and hasn't looked back," he explained.

Thomas' all-around ability helped the Panthers wrap up an 8-0 unbeaten run through the Eastern Athletic League, and now she and Chico (27-9) are a victory away from the Northern Section Division II championship.

That's something the 5-foot-9 senior definitely is focusing on — the section final on Nov. 17 at Red Bluff High.

"We want that section title so much. We've been in the final the past three years. We want to get that first one," Thomas said of 2010 when the Panthers fell to Pleasant Valley and last year's loss to Shasta in the final.

Chico meets Pleasant Valley once again after sweeping its crosstown rival twice during the regular season.

"We know PV wants it bad after we swept them twice," she said. "But playing them never gets old."

One more victory against the Vikings would make Thomas' season complete.

"It's been a really fun year. Our juniors do really well and I think they can continue to," Thomas said, "And Chuck is really fun. He's been coaching forever so he's really knowledgeable."

Want to submit your own prep athlete of the week, or comment on this one? Let us know @JShufelberger.